Fish with teeth found in Lake Lou Yaeger in Litchfield, Illinois

Litchfield, IL (KSDK) - There is some concern about a fish with teeth found in an Illinois lake.

NewsChannel 5 received an email from a viewer saying there may be piranha's in Lake Lou Yaeger in Litchfield, Illinois.

Jim Cadwell, the lake superintendent, says initially he was alarmed but after consulting with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources he learned the fish with teeth was actually a Pacu. He says a fisherman caught one back on June 7th and there were claims another was hooked ten days ago.

Fish biologists says the Pacu lives in the Amazon basin and is not dangerous because they mostly eat nuts, snails, and vegetation. They only eat other fish of their food of choice is unavailable. Biologists say the Pacu cannot survive Illinois winters.

They say the fish were most likely dumped by someone, which is illegal in the State of Illinois. They are more concerned with the Pacu contaminating other species in the lake.

The person responsible could face criminal charges. Anyone with information on the case should contact Litchfield police at 217-324-5991.